Bye Bye Winter...Helloooo Spring!...Urbane Edge Article with one Half of our Design Team....Sell, Sell, Sell...More Exclusive Charcoal Project Peeks...Sweet Treats...Anatoly, The Rug Guru...Best Dukkah Recipe In The World...Dukkah Encrusted Lamb and Kiwi Cocktails..What More Could You Want on a Friday?..enjoy xx

Its almost official....

Spring is nearly here!

Whilst some of you may be dreading the warmer weather being just on our doorstep, we are all pretty happy about the change of season.

Spring brings with it the smell of Jasmine, BBQ's on a Sunday, Sundresses, Picnics and the obligatory...for some..Spring Clean.  We love everything about Spring, and look forward to introducing you to some absolutely amazing new pieces that we will be bringing in to the showroom.  We simply cant wait!  Plus, there will be a fresh new menu of gloriously healthy and tasty dishes to please the palate...and with all that seasonal fruit coming in, we have finished test driving some excellent new Cocktail Friday recipes...just part of the job criteria...someone's got to make sure they are delicious!

Urbane Edge

This week, our Cathie Venardos...One half of the design team here at Charcoal, was interviewed by the Big and Glossy Brisbane News.  Cathie gave an insight on her design style, art and furniture pieces purchased during her travels.  For those of you who don't live in Brisbane, and haven't seen the article, here's a peek for you....click on the pic and it will enlarge if you are finding it hard to decipher.

Our Sale is Still Going Strong

With so many amazing discounts on selected stock, you are sure to find something perfect for your home.

Pop in over the weekend and step into a world of inspiration!

Serving Up More Inspiration...

Next week, we showcase our latest Exclusive Charcoal Interiors design project...here's a sneak peek.  This home was completely reduced to a shell and has been transformed and updated into a beautiful space.  We look forward to sharing the Before and After images with you over the coming weeks...wait until you see the bathroom!

Lounge Living...more Photos next week.

Golden Day

Sometimes you just have one of those days, that are just 'Golden', because we had two wonderful surprises in one day this week.  The first was a delivery of Organic Belgian White Chocolate and Fresh Coffee from a client that we had helped style his apartment for sale....Then, mere minutes later, 3 bunches of beautiful Spring blooms were delivered for us....a thank you for all the girls hard work from an appreciative client and all-round great lady.  We felt just so spoilt and it was a fabulous day indeed.  

Here we are looking very chuffed with ourselves....

Cathie..Colette and Jen

Every Stylish Home Needs at Least One....

This week, as promised we bring to you our Host with the Most..Anatoly Frusin!  Anatoly is our Rug consultant here at Charcoal Interiors, and brings with him a wealth of knowledge on the beautiful handwoven rugs that we stock here in the showroom.  

Please click on the link below which will take you to a short video presentation by Anatoly, with a brief outline of some of the rugs we have instore.....enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8QpEUa7UbY&feature=channel

'Drool-worthy Delights'

Fancy something tasty and super healthy for dinner or lunch? 

We feel we have excelled ourselves with this weeks recipe...braggers...

We do love a good Dukkah...there's nothing nicer than dipping some really fresh Turkish Bread into a quality Cold Pressed Olive Oil, and then dunking into a great Dukkah Mix.

With Egyptian origins, Dukkah is a spice blend of toasted nuts and seeds, and has become a international favorite over the past few years, thanks to its popularity first in Australian restaurants and then among home cooks and food blogs. The warm, aromatic mixture is addictive when served as a dip with bread and olive oil. We've also been sprinkling it on everything else lately – roasted vegetables, pasta, feta cheese, and even peaches, not to mention the wonderful crust it makes for meat and fish....speaking of which, heres a fab recipe for Dukkah Encrusted Lamb Chops.  You can use this recipe and method for any meat...fish, chicken, or you can roll a vegetable like cauliflower into the mix and bake in the oven...now that's delicious too.  Dukkah is very versatile and so healthy too.  Dazzle your friends with the recipe below...they will think you have had lessons!

Dukkah Encrusted Lamb Chops

Dukkah is available in many stores nowadays.  Its not just a gourmet item anymore and you can find it by the packet on jar in most supermarkets.  Making your own is easy.  Pistachios are a lovely addition to a Dukkah mix and they give a pleasant sweetness.  Here are some ideas for your Dukkah mix below.  Grind up in a processor, or get into the traditional way with a Mortar and Pestle...really get your elbow into it, and then be sure to stop...take a rest...sip the Cocktail from the recipe below...pace yourself now...and begin again....

Basic Ingredients
• Nuts – hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews, pine nuts, macadamia nuts
• Sesame seeds
• Coriander
• Cumin

Optional Additions
• Dried chickpeas
• Dried herbs – marjoram, mint, thyme
• Dried lemon zest
• Hot pepper – red pepper flakes, chili powder
• Pepper – freshly ground or whole peppercorns
• Salt
• Seeds – caraway, fennel, nigella
• Spices – cinnamon, clove, turmeric
• Sugar

Dukkah (Basic Recipe)
Makes 2 1/4 cups

1 cup nuts
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup coriander seeds
1/4 cup cumin seeds
1 teaspoon sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Toast nuts and seeds in separate batches. Let cool completely.

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse. The mixture may fine or coarse, depending on personal preference, but be sure it is dry and crumbly. Over-mixing will turn it into a paste. (Can also use a mortar and pestle or spice grinder.)

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

Once you have your mix to your satisfaction and taste, drizzle a good quality olive oil over your lamb chops...rub in a quality rock salt and then coat in the Dukkah mix.  Heat your pan with oil and sear the chops on both sides for 2 - 3 minutes each.  Place the chops onto aluminium foil and seal for 15 minutes to rest the meat.

In the meantime...take your time here now...another sip of your drink...soo nice and relaxing isnt it?...and I do like that music in the background...bit of Angus and Julia Stone perhaps?...or a Katie Noonan track or two...blissful...now, where were we?  Oh yes, the salad.  Now, whilst waiting on the resting of the meat, throw together a nice green salad...pop a side of plain yoghurt on your plate...shake up some lemon juice with a bit of salt, pepper, balsamic and olive oil and drizzle this over the salad.  Arrange the meat and salad on the plate with your chops...and Voila!...its a meal fit for the MasterChef judges.  Enjoy!

Happiness Comes in Many Forms...Puppies, Shoe Shopping, Sass and Bide and.....Cocktails!

Happy Friday to all.  Hope you have had a great one...Let's Celebrate with a...

Kiwi Fruit Cocktail...Fresh...Sparky...and oh, so delicious!..and guess what?..you deserve one...

The Friday Kiwi Cocktail

Its as Easy as Mix, Shake and Pour

Mix

2 shots of Gin
0.25 shots of Lemon Juice
0.5 shots of Sugar Syrup
1 whole peeled Kiwi

Shake

Peel and quarter the Kiwi, muddle with the Gin in the mixing tin, add the other ingredients, add lots of ice, shake and fine strain.

Pour

Serve in a Martini glass and garnish with a kiwi slice.

Thank you to all our wonderful customers and blog readers, facebook followers etc..for another amazing week here at Charcoal Interiors.  We just love being part of The Valley precinct and hope to see you in this part of the world one day soon.  Grab a coffee, and stroll the streets of James, Wandoo and Doggett and be sure to pop into the showroom at 18 Doggett St, Fortitude Valley...we would love to see you.  Mention the blog and we will give you an even bigger smile!...til next week...we are off to collect more goodies for you on Monday...another shopping excursion just for you.  Cant wait to share all our treasures.  Have a great weekend.

Cathie...Colette..and Jen..The Charcoal Girls xxx

Hamilton Apartment Before the Unveil!...Taa Daa!..New Arrivals to the Showroom...Goat Cheese Tapas...Harrys New York Bar - In Paris! Hemingway Daquiris and More!

More on the Hamilton Apartment

 Last week we had a little snippet of our latest design project in Hamilton Brisbane.  An Art Deco Apartment with gorgeous views of the Brisbane River that needed a little bit of Charcoal Magic.  We are so excited to have the final images ready to share with you.  These will be published next week.  Until then, here is a 'Before' pic of the lounge room before the painting started.  Think...smokey tones....stunning lighting....an eclectic mix of Antiques and modern contemporary furniture...plus...the most amazing textures...I could go on and on....until next week!

Our Reveal...Next Friday.  You wont believe the Transformation!

We are always sourcing amazing new Furniture and Accessories in our Showroom at 18 Doggett Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.

This week is no exception.  

We love...

Antique Wooden Carved Horse...Amazing Detail!

Red Painted Sideboard 19th Century

Northern China Sideboard Circa 1880's.  This beautiful piece has three drawers and two doors.  A super versatile piece to suit a multitude of applications.

....just a snippet of what is new and exciting in store at Charcoal Interiors!

We had a great response to the Bruschetta Tapas last week...and here is more of the simple, healthy Tapas menu that we promised again for this Friday.

Capsicum, Goat Cheese, and Fresh Mint Tapas Wraps

Super Tasty and Preparation Time is only 10 Minutes!  The combo of capsicum and goats cheese is simply moooooorish!

 

Ingredients

• 1 (4-ounce) goat cheese
• 4 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• 4 (8-inch) tortillas
• 1/2 cup chopped bottled roasted capsicum
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

  Preparation

  1. Combine cheese and mint in bowl.
  2. Wrap tortillas in paper towel. Microwave on HIGH 20 seconds.
  3. Spread each tortilla with 2 tablespoons cheese mixture. Divide capsicum evenly amongst tortillas; sprinkle with salt. Roll up tortillas; wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, twisting ends to secure. Chill 1 hour.
  4. Unwrap tortillas. Cut each wrap into 4 pieces, cutting one end of each piece diagonally and one end straight across so the piece can stand on end (see photo above).
  Delicious and the presentation is just so easy...Donna Hay would be proud :-)
  
  YIPPEEE!!...ITS COCKTAIL FRIDAY!
  Imagine yourself sitting down for a Cocktail this week at 'Harry's New York Bar....in Paris'.  
  
   Since 1911, Harry's New York Bar has been mixing masterpieces for Parisians and international celebrities like Ernest Hemingway, Roosevelt and the Duke of Windsor. The expatriate community is celebrated and encouraged there -- a somewhat atypical attitude in Paris -- and the bar is adoringly referred to as "Sank Roo Doe Noo," which is what the address sounds like if your French is terrible.
  
  
  
  One of the worlds acclaimed writers,Hemingway moved in 1921 to Paris, where wrote articles for the Toronto Star. "If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then whenever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast." (from A Moveable Feast, 1964)
  
  Hemingway loved the odd Daiquiri or two....if he was alive today, we could be besties, as incredibly we too love the deliciousness of the Daiquiri.
  For Hemingway himself the Hemingway Daiquiri (or Papa Doble) was served without sugar and is almost always printed that way although most people prefer the sweetness.
  
  
  Let's dig in....
  The Hemingway Daiquiri
  
  
  
  

  Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz white rum
• 1/4 oz maraschino liqueur
• 1/2 oz grapefruit juice
• 3/4 oz lime juice
• 3/4 oz simple syrup

Preparation:

1. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass

• 
  
   Next week, we introduce you to a lovely gentleman...Anatoli.  Anatoli is a representative from Milton Cater Oriental Handmade Rugs and will be here on Thursday for a chat.  If you happen to be in the area and would like to know more about these beautiful rugs, he will be happy to accommodate.
  
  
  
  
  We have had the best week together in the showroom.  We welcome our new clients and look forward to a new week.  Wishing everyone a terrific weekend!
  Yours in Design and Style...In the City!
  Cathie, Colette and Jen
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Hamilton Apartment...Our Latest Design Project Video...New Arrivals...Guilt Free Tapas...Sangria Anyone?...It's Cocktail Friday Folks!

This week, we introduce you to our latest project...The Hamilton Apartment.  

This Art Deco Apartment with views of the Brisbane River had the potential to evolve into something really special, and the design team knew from the moment they walked in that this was going to be a project they could really sink their creative teeth into.  The client, a lady with great taste, but not the time to put into renovating and decorating had a clear vision.  She says: "I wanted to maintain the character of the apartment in keeping with the architecture of the building."  "I wanted to really achieve an individual style and look as a reflection of myself and my lifestyle."

Over the coming weeks we will be showcasing this gorgeous Apartment in all its glory.  The finished product truly does reflect the original grandeur of the building, whilst introducing almost a Manhattan-esque sophistication.

Today, we start with the Before Images and take you on a tour with our Designer Cathie.  She takes us through the rooms before work starts and gives us an insight of what to expect.  So, stay tuned for the end result and enjoy these 'teasers'.

River Views at Hamilton
(just click play for the video boxes below) 

Initial Consultation...Cathie takes us through the vision for the Sunroom Area
Footnote: Thanks to Cath for being such a good sport...all footage was taken without me giving her a chance to prepare...snaps to you Cath!

NEW STOCK HAS JUST ARRIVED!
We love....
this Elm Wood Altar Table...circa 1820's with its ornate carved detailing...superb

...and this unique Timber Animal Trough Circa 1900's from the Shangdong Province

Sold out...but now more in stock..gorgeous soapstone wash coffee tables...perfect in so many applications

 Horseshoe Chairs...Circa 1880s from the Shanxi Province

 

...and thats just a snippet of what is new and exciting in the Charcoal Showroom.... 

Ahhh....Spring is just around the corner and my mind is already diverting from Winter Fashion, big coats that cover a multitude of sins over the colder months, to the cute Spring dresses that I just wont be able to look 'right' in if I dont do something about my food choices from here-on in.  I am such a fan of Tapas, but those small morsels can sometimes be big on the calories.  This week we discovered the most delicious low fat Tapas that are packed with flavour....fresh on the palate and just so very easy to prepare.  We found quite a few to choose from and will be featuring one recipe a week over the next month or so.  Each recipe adheres to a simple formula....being quick and easy, yet sophisticated and flavoursome....oh...and low on cals!  

Olive-Goat Cheese Bruschetta

 

Spice up traditional bruschetta with this crowd-pleasing recipe. This rendition uses traditional tomato and basil but adds savory olives and robust goat cheese. For a boost of fiber, make this dish with a multigrain baguette instead of traditional white French bread. With less than an hour of prep time, you can create this tasty dish right before guests arrive. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup diced seeded plum tomato
• 1/4 cup chopped pitted olives
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon sherry vinegar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 16 (1/4-inch-thick) slices French bread baguette (about 4 ounces)
• 1 garlic clove, peeled
• 1/4 cup mild goat cheese, at room temperature

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. Combine first 6 ingredients in a small bowl, and set aside.
3. Arrange bread on a baking sheet; bake at 400° for 8 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp. Remove toast slices from oven, and cool 2 minutes.
4. Rub both sides of each toast slice with garlic clove. Spread goat cheese thinly on 1 side of each toast, and top with the olive mixture.

Su coctel viernes! … Aclamaciones!

(That's Spanish for....Its Cocktail Friday!...Cheers!)

....and you cant get more Spanish...than the 'Sangria'

Sangria Cocktail Recipe

RECIPE:
1 liter Red wine
(any kind)
4 tablespoons sugar
1 shot glass Contreau
2 shot glasses Martini-Rossi White
2 shot glasss Cognac
1 bottle Sprite
6 slices Lemon
4 slices Orange

add tray of ice cubes
and stir well
(serves 8 glasses) 


Its been a terrific week for us!...we hope its been a good one for you too.  Cheers to you...and Cheers to us!  Happy Friday everyone and wishing you a very relaxing weekend with family and friends. Pop your head in to say hi over the weekend if you get a chance...if the light's on...we are in! :-)

Colette...Cathie...and Jen (we have managed to rope Jen into a profile shot...so stay tuned..she does actually exist....hee hee....) Happy Friday! xxx